Gallup: Obama approval hits three-year high

12/20/12 5:18 PM EST

"The timing of the increase in Obama's ratings could reflect a broad-based public reaction to the Newtown shootings, similar to the "rally around the flag" effect often seen at the start of wars and other threats to national security, in which Americans rally behind their leader," Gallup wrote in its analysis.

"It could also reflect the impact of the president's specific actions after the tragedy, including his attendance and speech at a Newtown prayer service Sunday night, and his appointment on Wednesday of a national task force to recommend steps that can be taken to reduce gun violence in the future."

The bump comes despite the faceoff with Congress over the looming fiscal cliff. Another Gallup survey earlier this week found that significantly more Americans approve of the way Obama is handling negotiations -- 48 percent -- than the way House Speaker John Boehner is handling them -- 25 percent.

Obama's high approval rating in the Gallup survey echoes the results of other recent polls. A CBS survey this week put his approval at 57 percent. An AP/GfK survey earlier this month -- before the shootings -- also gauged it at 57 percent.